Inverse umbrella tent

ABSTRACT

A tent or collapsible shelter of the umbrella tent-type. The tent includes, in one lightweight package, a foldable frame and a tent cover affixed to the frame. In one embodiment, the tent frame includes a vertical erecting rod located at the apex of the tent frame and flexible, segmented tent poles pivotably connected at the upper ends to a sleeve section which is, in turn, slidable on the erecting rod. The tent cover is attached to the tent poles near the ground, is slidably connected to an intermediate section of the tent poles and is connected at the top to the sleeve section at the base of the erecting rod. In this manner, the tent cover is tautly affixed to the tent frame in an erected position and is loosely affixed to the tent frame in a collapsed position. The sections of the segmented tent pole are connected to one another in the collapsed state and are elastically urged into an intercoupling engagement to form a rigid support upon erection.

United States Patent m1 Watts 1 Feb. 26, 1974 INVERSE UMBRELLA TENTPrimary Examiner-Mervin Stein A w [76] Inventor: Paul J. Watts, 285 E,Ninetta Cit, Assistant Examl'lerfltlex Orem, Utah 84057 Attorney, Agent,or FzrmLarson, Taylor, and Hinds [22] Filed. Nov. 1, 1971 ABSTRACT Appl'194237 A tent or collapsible shelter of the umbrella tent-type. W s MThe tent includes, in one lightweight package, a fold- [52] US. Cl..l35/2, 135/14 V able frame and a tent cover affixed to the frame. In[51] Int. Cl. A45fl/04 one embodiment, the tent frame includes avertical Field 0f sealTh-m- 15 15 3 5 erecting rod located at the apexof the tent frame and 135/8, 14 V, 20 R flexible, segmented tent polespivotably connected at the upper ends to a sleeve section which is, inturn, References Cited slidable on the erecting rod. The tent cover isattached UNITED STATES PATENTS to the tent poles near the ground, isslidably con- 2864339 |2H958 Smith et a] I H 135/2 nected to anintermediate section of the tent poles and 2,543,634 1 2/1951 Blanchard135/3 5 is connected at the top to the sleeve section at the 2,953,1459/1960 Moss et al 135/2 base of the erecting In this manner, the tentcover 3,635,233 1/1972 Robertson 135/15 is tautly affixed to the tentframe in an erected posi- 5 969 Farley 135/20 R tion and is looselyaffixed to the tent frame in a col- Simonson lapsed position The ectionsof the egmented tent 998'462 7/19 Burch 135/2 pole are connected to oneanother in the collapsed 2,948,287 8/1960 Rupert 135/4 R state and areelastically urged into an inter-coupling engagement to form a rigidsupport upon erection.

12 Claims,'9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBZBIQM 3.794054 SHEET 2 8f 3 43b43 17 2/ 54 1 46 ii L 47 47 46 46 46 46 FIG. 4-

. FIG 5 Q I INVENTOR PAUL J. WATTS fa/250g) ATTORNEYS INVERSE UMBRELLATENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to protable collapsible shelters of the type commonlyreferred to as tents and more particularly to umbrella-type tentswithout a central support pole.

2. Description of the Prior Art Portable collapsible structures formedof flexible material supported by a rigid frame have, of course, beenused for providing shelter for many years. These collapsible shelters,commonly referred to as tents, are usually of the type in which a frameis erected separately from the covering material. Some modern tents,however, incorporate the tent cover and frame into one unit. In eithertype of tent, it is desirable to provide a shelter that is lightweight,foldable into a compact unit when collapsed, easily and speedilyere'ctable, and sturdy and strong enough to offer the necessaryprotection from the environment. These criteria have in the past beenmutually exclusive and, the necessary compromise has usually resulted ina loss of ease and speed in the erection of the shelter.

Umbrella tents, in particular, have become increasingly popular inrecent years. The conventional umbrella tent comprises a tent coveringmounted upon a central tent pole and held extended by ribs pivoted nearthe top of the pole. It will be appreciated that the central tent polehas a disadvantage of subtracting from the useable floor area. A furtherdisadvantage is that the setting up of the frame and the mounting of thecovering on the frame requires a significant amount of time. In a mumberof the umbrella tents attempts have been made to reduce the erecting andcollapsing times by employing tent poles having telescopic sections orhaving disconnectable sections. Nevertheless a considerable amount oftime is still required for attaching the tent cover to the tent frame.

Single unit tents, i.e., tents incorporating the tent frame and thecovering material into one unit, present further difficulties. It is,necessary if the tent poles are to be elastically urged into anintercoupling engagement to have the covering material taut on the tentframe when the tent is erected and to have the covering material looseon the tent frame when the tent is to be collapsed and the tent polesections disconnected in preparation for folding. Prior art tent designhas not altogether successfully overcome these heretofore mutuallyexclusive requirements of the covering material. In addition, the tentsof the prior art require significant time and effort to reconnect thesections of the tent pole.

Umbrella tents usually include a tent frame that can be collapsed orerected in a manner similar to the lowering or raising of an ordinaryumbrella. The ribs and cover supporting members are articulated andinterconnectedly pivoted such that they are substantially parallel tothe central tent pole in the collapsed position. In addition, the ribsare pivotally connected to a sleeve section that slides along thecentral tent pole. In the erected position, the slide is usually lockedin place with a pin or a snap catch thereby requiring, when collapsingthe tent frame, an additional effort for unlocking the locking device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tural stability of tents having a central pole,all without the need for a locking device such as discussed above. Inaddition, a tent in accordance with the present invention incorporatesthe tent frame and the covering material into one unit with theattendant advantages of such an arrangement, the tent cover being looseon the frame in a collapsed position and taut on the frame in an erectedposition. The tent poles are preferably formed of a plurality ofsections which are elastically interconnected to provide rapid erection.

In a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the tent comprises aframe that includes a vertical erecting rod located at the apex of theframe, and a plurality of flexible segmented support members or tentpoles that are slidably connected at one end to the erecting rod andthat extend downwardly from the connecting rod to the ground so as toprovide the desired tent shape. The segmented tent poles are comprisedof a plurality of cylindrical sections that are, as mentioned above,elastically urged into a coupling engagement. The tent cover isconnectable at the top to the base of the erecting rod, is slidablyattachable at an intermediate section thereof to the tent poles, and isrestrainably joined at the bottom edge thereof to the lower end of thetent poles.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be discussedin or apparent from the description of preferred embodiments of theinvention found hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of atent in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with portions removed for thepurpose of clarity, illustrating the operation of the frame.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a portion of the frame of FIG. 1shown in a collapsed and partially folded state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one of the frame members of FIG. I shownin an expanded state.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the frame member of FIG. 4 ina partially assembled state during the manufacture thereof.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing the portion of theframe member in the final assembled state.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of the top portion ofanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 88 of FIG. 7 showing the tent members ingreater detail.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of yet another embodiment of theinvention with portions partially broken away for illustrative purposes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT One embodiment of acollapsible shelter in accordance with the invention, in the form of aninverse umbrella tent, is depicted in FIG. 1 in an erected position. Thetent is comprised of a bell-shaped or conical frame, generally indicatedby 10, and a cover of sheet material 50 affixed to frame in a manner tobe described. Frame 10 is disposed in an outer concentric arrangementwith tent cover 50 and is supported by a tent supporting surface 11which can merely be the ground.

Frame 10 includes a vertical erecting rod, generally indicated by 15,located at the apex of the tent, and a plurality of flexible, segmentedsupport members or tent poles 17. In the erected position, the upperportion 17' of each tent pole 17 is bowed outwardly toward and isslidably connected at the end to erecting rod 15, in a manner to bedescribed. The midseetion of each upper portion 17 is pivotablyconnected to the bottom of erecting rod by a radial rib 19, also in amanner to be described.

As is shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, erecting rod 15 is comprisedof an elongate member or pole 20, a base section 22 integral with pole20, and a sleeve section 24 concentric with pole and slidable thereon.Referring particularly to FIG. 3, sleeve section 24 is comprised of anupper section comprising an annular upper cap portion or top cap 26, anarrower diameter neck portion 27, and an annular or lower retainingcollar or portion 28 of a diameter somewhat larger than the diameter ofneck portion 27. Sleeve section 24 is also comprised of a lowercylindrical portion or sleeve 30 integral with the upper section atlower retaining collar 28 and extending vertically downward fromretaining collar 28 for a distance L. Base section 22 is of aconstruction similar to sleeve section 24 and is comprised of a lowerretaining collar 35, a narrower diameter neck portion 37 and a bottomcap 38.

The upper ends of tent poles 17 are pivotably connected to a ring 32,which encircles neck portion 27 of sleeve section 24, and hence arebetween top cap 26 and lower retaining collar 28. In a similar manner,the inner ends of ribs 19 are pivotably connected to a ring 40 whichencircles neck portion 37 of base section 22 of erecting rod 15 and areso held between a retaining collar and a bottom cap 38. In the erectedposition of the tent, depicted in FIG. 2, ribs 19 extend radiallyoutwardly and slightly downwardly, the outer end of each rib 19 beingpivotally connected to a corresponding rib connector 42 that ispreferably integral with the associated tent pole 17.

As mentioned above, each tent pole 17 is preferably segmented. Referringto FIG. 4, each tent pole 17 is comprised of a pluraltiy of coaxialcylindrical sections 43 and an elastic member or means which extendsthrough cylinders 43 and is generally denoted 44. Each tent pole 17 canbe comprised of as many cylindrical sections as are required forproducing a pole of the necessary length, four cylindrical sectionsbeing used in the present embodiment. The ends of two adjacentcylindrical sections 43 are provided with, respectively, a male-end anda female-end having a bore of a diameter larger than the outer diameterof the male-end for interconnectingly receiving or coupling with themaleend. Elastic member 44 extends coaxially through each cylindricalsection 43 so as to interconnect adjacent cylindrical sections andelastically urge adjacent cylindrical sections into a longitudinallycoupling relationship. As illustrated, cylindrical sections 43 are oftwo types, viz., end cylindrical sections 43a and intermediatecylindrical sections 43b.

Figure 3 depicts tent poles 17 in a partially folded configurationwherein the lower end cylindrical section 43a is separatd from andfolded back in a parallel arrangement with lower intermediatecylindrical section 43b, thereby stretching elastic member 44. Thus,elastic member 44 tends to contract and coaxially realign endcylindrical section 430, provided with a femaleend, and middlecylindrical section 43b, provided with a male-end. Further contractionof elastic member 44 urges the male-end into a coupling relationshipwith the female-end.

Referring again to FIG. 4, elastic member 44 includes a plurality ofelastic tubing sections 48 that can be made of, for example, latex, eachelastic tubing section 48 extending substantially through the length ofthe bore of each intermediate cylindrical section 43b. Each end of eachelastic tubing section 48 fits inside a hollow cylindrical connector 46and is attached therein. Connector 46 can be made of, for example,tenite tubing. The assembly of two connectors 46 connected by elastictubing section 48 is retained within the bore of an intermediatecylindrical section 43b by metal pins or stops 47 that are positionednear the end of intermediate cylindrical section 43b and extend slightlyoff center therethrough so as to limit the longitudinal expansion of theassembly. Adjacent ends of adjacent cylindrical sections 43 areconnected by a cord 45 that can be made of, for example, braided nylon.Cord 45 is retained within connector 46 thereby limiting the separationbetween adjacent cylindrical sections 43.

The components of elastic member 44 can be very economically and easilyassembled by a relatively simple method, two steps of which are depictedin FIGS. 5 and 6. The interconnecting of elastic tubing section 48,connector 46 and cord 45 is accomplished using substantially the sameprocedure for each end of elastic tubing section 48. An elastic tubingsection 48 of the proper length and elasticity is selected and stretchedso as to constrict the diameter thereof. Connector 46 is then threadedaround elastic tubing section 48 so as to leave a small portionextending therebeyond. The end of cord 45 is heated to the melting pointof the cord material and then formed into a ball or plug of a diameterlarger than the diameter of cord 45. The ball end of cord 45 is pushedthrough the bore of the exposed portion of elastic tubing section 48 isagain stretched so as to constrict its diameter and connector 46 is slidover the portion of elastic tubing section 48 that contains the knottedend of cord 45, as indicated in FIG. 6. In this state, the radialexpansion forces of elastic tubing section 48 is sufficient to preventthe relative positions of the knotted end of cord 45, the elastic tubingsection 48 and connector 46, as shown in FIG. 6 from being changed. Thesame method of assembly can be used for attaching cord 45 to connector46 in end sections 43a, after which the portion of elastic tubingsection 48 extending beyond connector 46 is removed.

Elastic tubing section 44 can, of course, take a form different fromthat described above. For example elastic tubing section 44 can comprisea continuous length of elastic cord that is connected only to endsections 43a.

Referring again to FIG. 1, cover 50 is comprised of a plurality ofvertical panels 52, preferably equal in number to the number of supportmembers 17. The embodiment in FIG. 1 employs six support members equallyspaced around and connected to base section 22 and hence, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, cover 50 employs six panels. An opening,such as door 53 comprised of flaps 54, is provided in one of the panelsto permit access to the inside of the tent. Each panel 50 is connectedto the adjacent panel along the respective edges and is of a shape suchthat cover 50 has an ogive-like vertical cross-sectional shape and ahexagonal horizontal cross-sectional shape. A bottom for cover 50, suchas indicated in FIG. 9 at 85, can be employed by being connected alongthe edges to the edges of the adjacent vertical panels. The top 55 ofcover 50 is provided with an orifice through which erecting rod 15extends. Top 55 is permanently secured to the top surface of bottom cap38, the orifice provided in top 55 being sized so as to allow neck Eachpanel 52 is provided with an upper loop 57, a middle loop 58 and a lowerloop 59 for receiving an associated pole 17. Upper'loop 57 and middleloop 58 are in a slidable relationship with pole 17, whereas bottom loop59 is securely attached to. support member 17. Thus, whenever frame isnot in the erected position, as depicted in FIG. 2 by the dash lines,upper loop 57 and middle loop 58 are permitted to slide downwardly alongsupport member 17, permitting cover 50 to hang loosely on frame 10.Whenever frame 10 is in the erected position, as depicted in FIG. 1 andin FIG. 2 by the solid lines, the bottom of cover 50 is restrained atbottom loop 59 and top 55 is urged upwardly by base section 22, therebykeeping cover 50 taut on frame 10.

Referring again to FIG. 2, each rib connector 42 is located on thecorresponding tent pole 17 such that at some point during the erectionof the tent, the associated ribs 19 are perpendicular to erecting rod15. The minimum separation between base section 22 and top cap 26 isdetermined by length L of sleeve 20. Length L is selected such that inthe erected position, the ribs 19 extend from the pivotal connection atthe first ends at associated rib connectors 42 in a slightly upwarddirection to the pivotal connections at sleeve section 24 at the otherend. The resiliency inherent with the flexibility of each tent pole 17tends to straighten the bowed shape of each tent pole 17. Thestraightening tendency of each tent pole 17 generates a force that acts,in the erected position, in an inward radial direction urging each rib19 associated with each tent pole 17 in an upward direction. The ribs19, in turn, urge base section 22 upwards against sleeve section 24.When sleeve section 24 is in a position on pole 20 such that ribs 19 areperpendicular thereto, the resultant of the aforementioned forces onsleeve section 24 is zero. Thus, sleeve section 24 is in an equilibriumposition, whereby there is no resultant force tending to move sleevesection 24 along pole 20. A further separation between sleeve section 24and base section 22 beyond the equilibrium position, such as theposition shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2, results in the aforementionedforces tending to further separate sleeve section 24 from base section22.

Another embodiment of cover 50 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Cover 50 isattached to tent poles 17 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1and described hereinabove. However, at the top of cover 50 there isprovided a large opening 61 for ventilation purposes. A plurality ofcords 63 connect the top edge of cover 50 to base section 22. Opening 61is covered by a waterproof cover 65 located at the apex of frame 10outside of tent poles 17 and slidable thereon. Waterproof cover 65 isalso provided with an orifice (not shown) through which that part ofpole 20 above sleeve section 24 extends. lnterconnecting waterproofcover 65 and cover 50 at opening 61 and providing the ventilation areais an annular-shaped section of mosquito netting 68. Mosquito netting 68is connected at the inside edge 69 to cover 50 and, in the erectedposition of the tent, extends radially outwardly in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and is connected at the outside edge 70 to waterproofcover material 65. Fitted around and freely slidable on each rib 19 is avent adjusting ring 75. Cord 63 passes through vent adjusting ring 75.With vent adjusting rings located radially inward on their respectiveribs 19, adjacent to base section 22, the respective cords 63 aresupported near their inner ends. The weight of the material of cover 50above the upper loops 57 will cause the top of cover 50 to fall downwardand away from waterproof cover material 65, thereby stretching mosquitonetting 68 and providing maximum ventilation area. If vent adjustingrings are located near their respective ribs 17, the end of cover 50 iskept closed to waterproof cover material 65, the mosquito netting 68hangs loosely and a minimum ventilation area is provided. Thus, a changein the effective ventilation area can be attained by a change in theposition of vent adjusting ring 75 along rib 19, and a consequentialchange in the separation distance between waterproof cover 65 and cover50.

A further embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 9. Tent poles17 are spaced in a circular configuration around base section 22 andextend downwardly to surface 11 in an inner concentric arrangement withcover 50. Cover 50 is provided, on its inside surface, with a pluralityof upper and middle loops in a manner similar to upper loop 57 andmiddle loop 58 in the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1.However instead of lower loops 59, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9 hasa plurality of pocket-like receptacles 80, equal in numberto the numberof tent poles 17. Receptacles are located at the inside lower edge ofcover 50 and receive the lower ends of poles 17.

The tent can be erected by using a number of different methods. Afterthe shelter has been unfolded and cover 50 smoothed out so as to enableelastic means 44 to interconnect cylindrical sections 43, erecting rod15 can be grasped in one hand and top cap 26 pushed toward base section22 with the other hand. This moves sleeve section 24 in the directionindicated by arrow 83 in FIG. 2 until sleeve section 24 reaches theequilibrium position, that is, the position at which sleeve section 24is exactly perpendicular to ribs 19. As discussed above, continuedapplication of such a force will cause movement of sleeve section 24toward base section 22. The limit of travel of top cap 26 and bottom cap38 is fixed by the length of sleeve 36, also as described above. Sincetop 55 of cover 56 is connected to bottom cap 38 and since bottom cap 38has been moved in an upward direction relative to the bottom of cover50, cover 50 is thus stretched in an upward direction and pulled taut onframe 10.

An alternate method of erecting the tent involves grasping the top endof one of the tent poles 17 with one hand and one of the ribs 19 withthe other hand and then exerting a force to move the tent pole 17 towardthe rib 19.

The tent may be collapsed by pushing downwardly on erecting rod 15. Thedownward movement of erecting rod 15 separates sleeve section 24 frombase section 22 and collapses the tent. Cylindrical sections 43 can thenbe disconnected by employing one person to grab the bottom and employinga second person to grab the top of the tent. The two persons then pullthe ends of the tent in a direction away from each other therebyuncoupling cylindrical sections 43. The tent can then be folded insections of a length equal to the length of cylindrical sections 43. Theamount of the separation between cylindrical sections 43, whichdetermines the permissilbe thickness of the folds is, in turn,determined by the length of cord 45 and the longitudinal positioning ofstop 47.

While the preferred embodiment of the collapsible shelter has beendescribed above for use mainly as a tent, the invention can also be usedto construct a floorless clothes-changing tent for use, for example, atthe beach. The invention can also be used to design a very largecollapsible beach umbrella, in which case the erecting rod 15 wouldextend downwardly beyond bottom cap 38 to the ground and support member17 would extend only to the edge of a canopy-type cover.

Although the invention has been described in detail with respect to anexemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that variations and modifications may be effectedwithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A collapsible shelter comprising: a cover of sheet material; a framefor, when erected, supporting said cover so that an enclosed shelter isformed thereby and on which, when collapsed, said cover is retained,said frame including an erecting rod which, when erected, issubstantially vertical and which comprises an upper elongate portion anda lower base portion, a plurality of support members for, when erected,supporting said cover, first connecting means for slidably connecting afirst end of said support members to said elongate portion of saiderecting rod, said support members extending downwardly therefrom, andsaid first connecting means being movable between a first positionproximate to said base portion when the shelter is erected and a secondposition remotely spaced from said base portion when the shelter iscollapsed; second connecting means for connecting the top of said coverto said base portion to cause stretching of said cover on said framewhen said connecting means is positioned in said first positionproximate to said base portion; and means for slidably attaching anintermediate portion of said cover to said support members.

2. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 wherein each saidsupport member comprises a flexible elongate portion, and wherein saidframe further includes third connecting means for pivotably connectingsaid base portion to said support members at a location on said supportmember near said first end such that said third connecting means urgessaid base portion and said first connecting means towards each other formaintaining said frame locked in a first, erected posi tion and saidthird connecting means urges said base portion and said first connectingmeans away from each other in a second, collapsed position.

3. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 2 wherein saidpivotably connecting means comprises a plurality of rib members, equalin number to the number of support members, which extend radiallyoutward from said base portion; means for pivotably connecting said ribmembers at a first end to said base portion; and

means for pivotably connecting said rib members at the other end to saidcorresponding support members.

4. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidslidably connecting means comprises a cy- 5 lindrical sleeve sectionconcentrically mounted on said erecting rod, said sleeve sectioncomprising a lower cylindrical portion and an upper section including aneck portion of reduced cross section intermediate between an upper capportion and a lower collar portion; and a ring-shaped member encirclingsaid neck portion of said upper section for pivotably connecting saidfirst ends of said supporting members thereto.

5. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supportmembers are equi-distantly spaced around said base portion nd extenddownwardly therefrom to the supporting surface in an and concentricarrangement around said cover.

6. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said coverof sheet material comprises a plurality of panels, equal in number tothe number of said support members, each panel connected to the adjacentpanels along the respective edges and shaped such that the cover has,when erected, an ogive-like vertical cross-sectional shape; and a bottomthat is connected to the plurality of panels.

7. A collapsible shelter is accordance with claim 6 wherein the top ofsaid cover is provided with an orifice through which said erecting rodextends, and the edges of the orifice are supported by said baseportion.

8. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 6, wherein said coverhas an opening at the top and further includes a plurality of cord meansfor connecting the top edge of said cover to said base portion;waterproof cover material for covering the opening, said waterproofcover material being located outside of said support members andslidable thereon, and being provided with an orifice through which saiderecting rod extends, and annular netting material connected at theinside edge to said cover and, when erected, extending outwardly in asubstantially horizontal direction and connected at the outside edge tosaid waterproof cover material.

9. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 wherein said supportmembers are equi-distantly spaced around said base section and extenddownwardly to the supporting surface; and wherein said cover surroundssaid support members, said cover being further provided with pluralityof pocket-like receptacles located at the inside lower edge forremovably receiving the other end of said support members.

10. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 wherein each saidsupport member comprises a plurality of separable, telescopinglyinterconnected cylindrical sections; and elastic means for elasticallyurging said cylindrical sections into telescoping interconnection.

11. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 10 wherein saidcylindrical sections have a longitudinal bore therethrough; and whereinsaid elastic means includes a plurality of cord means for extendingbetween said cylindrical connections for limiting the separationthereof, a plurality of connecting means contained within the bores ofsaid cylindrical sections for connecting the cord means thereto, stopmeans for preventing said connecting means from being withdrawn from thecylindrical sections; and at least one elastic member extendingsubstantially through the bore of at least one of said cylindricalsections for elastically interconnecting said connecting means.

12. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 8 wherein said framefurther includes means for pivotably connecting said base portion tosaid support members, the last named means including a plurality of ribmembers, equal in number to the number of support members, which extendradially outward from said base'portion, and wherein said collapsibleshelter further includes support means slidably mounted on saidventilation area.

1. A collapsible shelter comprising: a cover of sheet material; a framefor, when erected, supporting said cover so that an enclosed shelter isformed thereby and on which, when collapsed, said cover is retained,said frame including an erecting rod which, when erected, issubstantially Vertical and which comprises an upper elongate portion anda lower base portion, a plurality of support members for, when erected,supporting said cover, first connecting means for slidably connecting afirst end of said support members to said elongate portion of saiderecting rod, said support members extending downwardly therefrom, andsaid first connecting means being movable between a first positionproximate to said base portion when the shelter is erected and a secondposition remotely spaced from said base portion when the shelter iscollapsed; second connecting means for connecting the top of said coverto said base portion to cause stretching of said cover on said framewhen said connecting means is positioned in said first positionproximate to said base portion; and means for slidably attaching anintermediate portion of said cover to said support members.
 2. Acollapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said supportmember comprises a flexible elongate portion, and wherein said framefurther includes third connecting means for pivotably connecting saidbase portion to said support members at a location on said supportmember near said first end such that said third connecting means urgessaid base portion and said first connecting means towards each other formaintaining said frame locked in a first, erected position and saidthird connecting means urges said base portion and said first connectingmeans away from each other in a second, collapsed position.
 3. Acollapsible shelter in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pivotablyconnecting means comprises a plurality of rib members, equal in numberto the number of support members, which extend radially outward fromsaid base portion; means for pivotably connecting said rib members at afirst end to said base portion; and means for pivotably connecting saidrib members at the other end to said corresponding support members.
 4. Acollapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said slidablyconnecting means comprises a cylindrical sleeve section concentricallymounted on said erecting rod, said sleeve section comprising a lowercylindrical portion and an upper section including a neck portion ofreduced cross section intermediate between an upper cap portion and alower collar portion; and a ring-shaped member encircling said neckportion of said upper section for pivotably connecting said first endsof said supporting members thereto.
 5. A collapsible shelter inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said support members are equi-distantlyspaced around said base portion nd extend downwardly therefrom to thesupporting surface in an and concentric arrangement around said cover.6. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 5 wherein said coverof sheet material comprises a plurality of panels, equal in number tothe number of said support members, each panel connected to the adjacentpanels along the respective edges and shaped such that the cover has,when erected, an ogive-like vertical cross-sectional shape; and a bottomthat is connected to the plurality of panels.
 7. A collapsible shelteris accordance with claim 6 wherein the top of said cover is providedwith an orifice through which said erecting rod extends, and the edgesof the orifice are supported by said base portion.
 8. A collapsibleshelter in accordance with claim 6, wherein said cover has an opening atthe top and further includes a plurality of cord means for connectingthe top edge of said cover to said base portion; waterproof covermaterial for covering the opening, said waterproof cover material beinglocated outside of said support members and slidable thereon, and beingprovided with an orifice through which said erecting rod extends, andannular netting material connected at the inside edge to said cover and,when erected, extending outwardly in a substantially horizontaldirection and connected at the outside edge to said waterproof covermaterial.
 9. A collapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid support members are equi-distantly spaced around said base sectionand extend downwardly to the supporting surface; and wherein said coversurrounds said support members, said cover being further provided withplurality of pocket-like receptacles located at the inside lower edgefor removably receiving the other end of said support members.
 10. Acollapsible shelter in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said supportmember comprises a plurality of separable, telescopingly interconnectedcylindrical sections; and elastic means for elastically urging saidcylindrical sections into telescoping interconnection.
 11. A collapsibleshelter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cylindrical sectionshave a longitudinal bore therethrough; and wherein said elastic meansincludes a plurality of cord means for extending between saidcylindrical connections for limiting the separation thereof, a pluralityof connecting means contained within the bores of said cylindricalsections for connecting the cord means thereto, stop means forpreventing said connecting means from being withdrawn from thecylindrical sections; and at least one elastic member extendingsubstantially through the bore of at least one of said cylindricalsections for elastically interconnecting said connecting means.
 12. Acollapsible shelter in accordance with claim 8 wherein said framefurther includes means for pivotably connecting said base portion tosaid support members, the last named means including a plurality of ribmembers, equal in number to the number of support members, which extendradially outward from said base portion, and wherein said collapsibleshelter further includes support means slidably mounted on said ribmembers for supporting said cord means such that when said support meansis located proximate to a first end of said rib member, said top edge ofsaid cover is proximate to said waterproof cover material and when saidsupport means is located proximate to the other end of said rib member,said top edge of said cover is separated from said waterproof covermaterial, thereby extending said netting material to provide a maximumventilation area.